Belfast Live has helped track down the missing pooch Bob after he was knocked down on the road in Co Down on Wednesday night.

The three-year-old black Labrador was accidentally hit by a car Cotton Road and ran off towards Donaghadee.

But after an appeal on Belfast Live today, he was discovered cowering 100 metres from where he had vanished 24 hours earlier.

Lynsey Smyth, the vet nurse from Rathgael Veterinary Clinic , Bangor, who was leading the campaign to help get Bob reunited with his distraught owner Lisa Martin, said everyone was delighted.

She said: "He's such a loving, precious, big pet. We are in tears knowing he's safe.

"He was found about three doors away from where he originally vanished and the man at the house had seen he was missing and contacted us.

"He was afraid to leave Bob in case he ran away again, and he kept trying to tempt him into the house with hamster food but Bob was having none of it.

"He was frightened and covered in mud but otherwise he looks unhurt. His dignity has taken a bump and our nerves have been jangling but thanks to Belfast Live and all the support we got, our big fella is safe and will be home in time for dinner."

Bob had been staying with his owner's friend while she went to work. But he slipped off while she was feeding her own dogs and when she called him back Bob got hit by a car. He ran off and was missing overnight.